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Thread: Did I just inherit value or junk?

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    Default Did I just inherit value or junk?

    Hey all,

    BRAND new to this forum and although I love fountain pens and calligraphy, I've never taken an active interest aside from just writing in my diary. My watch habit has me over on watch forums most of the time which leaves little room for much else.

    Anyway, my mother in law just gifted me with two vintage fountain pens that she's apparently found in her 90+ mother's desk. They both appear in excellent condition aside from the case. My question here is what, exactly, did I just get and is it valuable? To be clear, this is NOT because I want to sell them. I just like knowing the value of my things as it adds to my appreciation.

    So, here they are. I'm by no means knowledgeable - just writing as I see it.

    NOREX pen. Piston filler. 14k gold cap and nib.



    Parker 61 Capillary system - gold cap and nib.


    More pictures below.

    Your expertise is appreciated!! (Please excuse the bandaid on my thumb - sliced it wiiiiide open trying to stupidly unscrew the Parker)

    Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

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    Senior Member jar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Did I just inherit value or junk?



    You have two nice fountain pens there but not a fortune. NOREX was a German brand IIRC. The Parker "61"s were an attempt to make a clean filling pen.

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    Default Re: Did I just inherit value or junk?

    Hello and welcome to FPGeeks.

    I've not heard of Norex pens, but Parker 61's are reasonably popular. I never liked the capillary filling system though. Too hard to change ink colour. Eventually Parker scrapped it and adapted it to use a converter.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: Did I just inherit value or junk?

    Well I'm glad to hear that! I'm currently watching videos on how in the dickens to clean and fill them. Thinking I might have to go to a pen shop for guidance since I don't want to mess them up. The Norex looks to have a slightly damaged nib as it's slightly "scissored" with one side up and one down a mm apart. Hoping that's fixable...

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    Default Re: Did I just inherit value or junk?

    Quote Originally Posted by jblair814 View Post
    Well I'm glad to hear that! I'm currently watching videos on how in the dickens to clean and fill them. Thinking I might have to go to a pen shop for guidance since I don't want to mess them up. The Norex looks to have a slightly damaged nib as it's slightly "scissored" with one side up and one down a mm apart. Hoping that's fixable...

    Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk
    In order to clean that capillary converter you will probably need to flush water through it many times. Parker used to sell a special rubber bulb that would do the job. Nowadays you could probably use an ear bulb with the point cut off so that it fits snugly onto the top of the capillary tube. The filler doesn't come off of the section. Here is a quick You Tube video
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: Did I just inherit value or junk?

    Brilliant! Thanks for the link. I'm actually cautiously optimistic because judging by the white fluffy colour of the opening at the back, I don't think it's ever been used. May not need to clean it!

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    Default Did I just inherit value or junk?

    Quote Originally Posted by jblair814 View Post
    Well I'm glad to hear that! I'm currently watching videos on how in the dickens to clean and fill them. Thinking I might have to go to a pen shop for guidance since I don't want to mess them up. The Norex looks to have a slightly damaged nib as it's slightly "scissored" with one side up and one down a mm apart. Hoping that's fixable...

    Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk
    Parker is definitely of value. Can always replace the nib on the Norex with something better.
    Looks like a Vac filler.......
    Decent pens and I would not turn them down.
    Use safe ink in older pens.....


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    Default Re: Did I just inherit value or junk?

    So what exactly would safe ink be? Is Waterman acceptable?

    Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

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    Default Re: Did I just inherit value or junk?

    Almost any ink will be fine, but many would recommend easier to clean inks. Waterman is OK
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: Did I just inherit value or junk?

    If you can see white tufts in the back of the capillary filler on the 61, it’s never been used. Congrats. Waterman and Pelikan inks are the safest.

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    Default Re: Did I just inherit value or junk?

    Quote Originally Posted by BrianMcQueen View Post
    If you can see white tufts in the back of the capillary filler on the 61, it’s never been used. Congrats. Waterman and Pelikan inks are the safest.
    Parker might disagree with you on that one Especially for their 61 capillary filler.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: Did I just inherit value or junk?

    How so? Filled it up with Waterman two days ago and it's been writing like a dream!

    Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

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    Default Re: Did I just inherit value or junk?

    Most Diamine inks are good too. In general, dye-based inks are safer than pigment-based. Pigments (particulate stuff) can clog pens. Also iron gall inks can be a problem. I'd avoid both pigment and IG inks until you learn more about them. Richard Binder's site has good information on the subject.
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    Default Re: Did I just inherit value or junk?

    Quote Originally Posted by jblair814 View Post
    So what exactly would safe ink be? Is Waterman acceptable?

    Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk
    Waterman, sheaffer skrip,parker quink, pelikan


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    Default Re: Did I just inherit value or junk?

    Always remember: the price is not the value with pens or anything else otherwise.

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    Default Re: Did I just inherit value or junk?

    Waterman/Parker/Pelikan/Sheaffer Inks are the old standard inks
    Never fail

    Quote Originally Posted by jblair814 View Post
    How so? Filled it up with Waterman two days ago and it's been writing like a dream!

    Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk
    That Norex is really beautiful! Classy!
    Unix is user-friendly ; it's just picky about who it's friends are -

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    Default Re: Did I just inherit value or junk?

    Quote Originally Posted by Chrissy View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by BrianMcQueen View Post
    If you can see white tufts in the back of the capillary filler on the 61, it’s never been used. Congrats. Waterman and Pelikan inks are the safest.
    Parker might disagree with you on that one Especially for their 61 capillary filler.
    Quote Originally Posted by jblair814 View Post
    How so? Filled it up with Waterman two days ago and it's been writing like a dream!

    Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk
    I suspect Chrissy meant that Parker would disagree that a list of safest inks doesn't include Parker. They would have designed the pen to work with their own inks.

    Still, most modern inks aren't going to cause you any issues. Just watch out for dye inks and iron gall inks as has been mentioned. They might cause clogs in the capillary system. Otherwise, enjoy them. They look really nice.

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    Default Re: Did I just inherit value or junk?

    Essentially, avoid Noodlers, Private Reserve, and “boutique” inks. Try not to use orange inks. They can clog it up really badly. Stick with inks from companies who also make pens.

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    Default Re: Did I just inherit value or junk?

    Quote Originally Posted by Scooby921 View Post
    Just watch out for dye inks and iron gall inks as has been mentioned. They might cause clogs in the capillary system. Otherwise, enjoy them. They look really nice.
    I think you meant to say “...PIGMENTED inks and iron gall inks...”


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